What’s the Difference between the Nissan Maxima, Altima, and Sentra?

If you’re in the market for a dependable and stylish new car, the 2017 Nissan sedans are sure to be at the top of your list of prospective new vehicles. But what’s the difference between the 2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017 Nissan Altima, and 2017 Nissan Sentra?

Here at Montgomeryville Nissan, we want to make sure you choose the best Nissan sedan for your life in Philadelphia, Lansdale, or Doylestown. To help you make the most educated and informed car buying decision, here’s our guide to understanding the differences between the Nissan Maxima, Nissan Altima, and Nissan Sentra.

Nissan Maxima

As the brand’s flagship car and sports sedan, the 2017 Nissan Maxima is the most distinct sedan out of the entire Nissan lineup. The Nissan Maxima features a beautifully designed body complete with sleek lines and premium features that make it look more like a luxury sports car than the typical sedan. Plus, its aerodynamic design helps enhance the performance of its 300 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine. It also helps the vehicle achieve up to an EPA-estimated 30 MPG highway.

Compared to the Sentra and the Altima, the 2017 Nissan Maxima is the most fun to drive Nissan sedan. With sport-tuned performance features and Sport Drive mode, it provides heavier steering, quicker shifts, and sharper throttle response.

The interior of the Maxima puts a sporty twist on everything you love about a 4-door sedan. Its cockpit-like interior has ample room for the entire family with 98.6 cubic feet of passenger space and 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space. On top of that, this sports sedan is equipped with a variety of luxury features like climate controlled front seats and leather upholstery for comfort.

Best of all, the 2017 Nissan Maxima has some of the most advanced interior technologies of the entire lineup. These technologies include the innovative NissanConnect℠ Services system. It’s powered by SiriusXM® and provides access to everything from mobile apps to security features to remote services for entertainment and peace of mind.

The Maxima also comes with the Nissan Advanced Drive-Assist® Display. With this, all important travel information can be viewed right on the instrument panel to help keep your eyes on the road. Plus, it features Driver Attention Alert. This is an advanced technology feature that can detect when you’re driving drowsy and suggests driving breaks to better ensure your safety.

The 2017 Nissan Maxima also offers the following driver-assist technologies:

Predictive Forward Collision Warning

Forward Emergency Braking

Blind Spot Warning

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Intelligent Cruise Control

Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection

[Want to learn more about the 2017 Nissan Maxima? Get your full review here.]

Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is the brand’s midsize sedan and the most popular sedan in the Nissan lineup for young drivers, commuters, and everyone in between. Compared to the Maxima, the 2017 Nissan Altima offers a similar sporty exterior design. The only difference is that the Altima is about one inch taller and one inch thinner than the Maxima.

The 2017 Altima offers the most interior space out of all three Nissan sedans. It has 101.9 cubic feet passenger volume; that’s about three cubic feet more than the Maxima and about six cubic feet more than the Sentra.

The Altima is equipped with many premium features and technologies to minimize distractions and help you enjoy the road ahead. A few technologies offered for the Nissan Altima include:

NissanConnect℠ with NissanConnect℠ Services

Advanced Drive-Assist® Display

Intelligent Cruise Control

Predictive Forward Collision Warning

Forward Emergency Braking

In terms of performance, the 2017 Nissan Altima is more efficient than the Nissan Maxima. Its standard 182 horsepower 2.5L I-4 gets up an EPA-estimated 39 MPG highway, and its 270 horsepower 3.6L V6 engine gets up to an EPA-estimated 32 MPG highway.

[Get more information on the 2017 Nissan Altima’s power, performance and trims in this Nissan review.]

Nissan Sentra

Unlike the Nissan Maxima and Nissan Altima, the 2017 Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan. It’s smaller than the Nissan Altima and the Nissan Maxima, but its body is the perfect size for those narrow streets and tight parking spots in Philadelphia.

Like the other 2017 Nissan sedans, the Sentra features a sporty exterior complete with premium amenities and design aspects. Even though it’s smaller than the Altima and Maxima, it still has enough space so passengers can sit comfortably. Overall, the 2017 Nissan Sentra has 95.9 cubic feet of passenger volume. It also has 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space.

When it comes to performance, the 2017 Sentra doesn’t offer as much standard horsepower as the Altima and Maxima, but it does provide exceptional fuel economy. It’s powered by a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine that gets 130 horsepower and up to an EPA-estimated 37 MPG highway. The Sentra also has a new available 1.6L turbocharged engine for 2017. It gets 188 horsepower and up to an EPA-estimated 33 MPG highway.

The Nissan Sentra comes with technologies such as the NissanConnect℠ with NissanConnect℠ Services and the same safety technologies offered in the Altima and Maxima for entertainment, convenience, and peace of mind.

[More information on the 2017 Nissan Sentra is provided in our full review here.]

What’s the Best Nissan Sedan?

The Nissan Maxima, Nissan Altima, and Nissan Sentra are exceptional vehicles that provide their own individual driving experiences. With that said, the best Nissan sedan depends on your personal preferences.

If you’re in the market for a fuel efficient car for your daily commutes, check out the 2017 Nissan Altima. If you want a car that’s sporty, speedy, and fun to drive, then the 2017 Nissan Maxima is for you. If you’re looking for a compact car with ample interior space, the 2017 Nissan Sentra is your best option.

No matter which Nissan sedan you choose, you can trust they’ll provide everything you need to better enjoy cruising through Philadelphia, Doylestown, and Lansdale.

The 2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017 Nissan Altima, and 2017 Nissan Sentra are now available at Montgomeryville Nissan! If you’re trying to decide which model is best suited for your lifestyle, visit our showroom at 991 Bethlehem Pike in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, or call 888-431-2905 to schedule your test drive today!